Summary: An empire whom do not worship the gods, but worship the concept of law and justice. A book of laws given to the nation by the first Iron Emperor, called the Iron Law, dictates every aspect of their lives. However despite the seemingly oppressive landscape, it leads to a nominally peaceful life without crime.
An empire of a long and bloody history, created from the ashes and husks of small kingdoms and city-states past, the capital was created on a large swath of iron, and with some of the best blacksmiths in the world, created a unique way of blending metal called Durgheim steel.
Each Iron Emperor does not rule the nation for the most part, but leaves most governing to the Council of Iron. He is usually seen fighting with the Iron Guard, a world renown and most sought after mercenary organization and what the Iron Empire is mostly known for besides Durgheim steel.Cultural dress: Germanic dress, lots of blacks and greys.

Population: 250,000
Form of Government: Empire, day to day running of the empire and most ruling down by the Council of Iron Law, Imperial Governors run the provinces.
Politics: Iron Emperor Jorg von Kalheim and the Council of Iron Law, essentially a military junta, the new Emperor is chosen from the Council of Iron Law as the best military leader, and then a suitable replacement in the Council is also voted in from the military.
Economic Status: Rich
Cities: Beata, Iron’s Fall, Eisendorf, Kalburg
Main Resource: Weapons of war, weapons from Durgheim are prized, and security forces
Religion: No deity worship, worship the concept of Law and Order
Geographical Zone: Temperate forest
Races that live in the kingdom: Good portion of Urbane, but quite a few others.
Political Allies: Very few strong allies, people who agree to pacts via Iron Guard
Political Enemies: Draioch
Naming conventions: Germanic names, usually last names have a meaning unless you are nobility. (Example: Non-nobility: Becker (baker), Nobility: Gursteinheim)
History: The Iron Empire of Durgheim has a bloody and drawn out history that lasts many years. Seeing the war and chaos before him, the first Iron Emperor rallied small city-states and fiefdom into an army, in which he used to conquer a decent swath of land. He claimed that the gods will not help them, and that they do not exist in their entirety. Using the concept of Iron Law, which he claimed to be fair and give the will to the people, it was not hard for him to rally aforementioned city-states and fiefdoms.
They eventually settled when they found a rich deposit of iron and other metals, stating that this is what the Iron Law would give them, and they would found their city here on the edge of a blade and on the backs of people, not gods. The city flourished under the Iron Emperor, however they soon found out that the Iron Law did not always benefit them. The Iron Emperor was a cruel tyrant and even subsequent Iron Emperors. Not unintelligent, he realized he could not wage war on other kingdoms openly, thus he began the Iron Guard, a mercenary organization that can be hired out across the world with the finest weapons and arms, that he leads himself.
In his stead, the Council of Iron determines additions/subtractions/interpretations of the Iron Law and essentially rules the Empire while the Iron Emperor leads the Iron Guard into battles.
Notable People:
Iron Emperor Jorg von Kaelheim
The Council of Iron Law
Feldmarshall Hans von Klaus, Commander of the Iron Guard
Gert Adler, Master Ferrum Farrier
Sebastian Dreschler, Sturmjaeger Prime
Factions
Iron Guard
Clad in black armor and carrying Durgheim weapons with their unique wave pattern, they are one of the most sought after mercenary organizations on the planet. Lead by the Iron Emperor himself, they are usually hired in desperate times, with nations often taking out large bank loans or undertakings to request them. Sometimes, the Iron Emperor simply does it for a simple agreement in secret. They are chosen from the highest echelons from the Durgheim military.
They are organized in legions, each headed by a proven member of the Iron Guard, because only those who prove themselves in battle can prove themselves to lead.
Ferrum Farriers
The Ferrum Farriers are master blacksmiths chosen by the Council of the Iron Law as the only ones who can know the recipe of Durgheim steel and forge anything with it. They are also the only smiths allowed to forge weapons for the military, as they are state sponsored and subsidized. The choosing of a Ferrum Farrier is a strict process in which many tests of skill and proofs of craft are done.
The Eisenschutz
Another state sanctioned organization made of up the best spellcasters in the military. However, their speciality is protection magic, as they are some of the very best in imbuing and abjuration. They are used as a support structure and backbone to the lines of heavy infantry that the Durgheim military employs. Some of their spells are closely guarded secrets, as some say that they can even bind a spirit to a suit of armor, however it has been only an unfounded rumor.
Durgheim Sturmjaegers
The special forces of the Durgheim military, and also what keeps their borders safe from any incursion. It is said that a small force of Sturmjaegers can deplete an invading force to it’s bone before it even reaches the border forts of Durgheim. Highly trained, self sufficient soldiers, they are also employed in military operations to go behind enemy lines and sabotage them. They are usually trained to the pinnacle of human condition as possible, and proficient with both bow and sword.
The Iron Laws:
The price paid is determined by the Courts of Iron, it is a price paid in iron or in blood. Must be equal.
One shall not Murder
One shall not Slander
One shall not commit Theft
One shall hold oneself Liable (if one owns a dam, and the dam is broken, flooding farms, owner is to blame)
One shall not commit Unfair Trade
One shall not participate in Unsanctioned Slavery
One shall not Disobey Orders
One shall not commit Littering or defacing of public property
One shall not be Unfaithful to Ones Spouse
One shall not worship any deity, the Iron Law is above all.